Facemasks for the public - the science

Discussion in 'Bulletin Board' started by Farnham_Red, Apr 28, 2020.

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  1. Farnham_Red

    Farnham_Red Administrator Staff Member Admin

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    There is a debate about whether we should all wear masks when going out - not to protect ourselves so much as to protect others.

    This is being fought out between scientists and on the link below is a justification of the reasons why its a good idea - rebutting some of the reasons given against it.

    To me this makes sense - and many countries are adopting this approach. Its obviously heavier reading than a 3 word slogan or one of our tabloid "news" papers but perfectly understandable.

    https://www.authorea.com/users/316109/articles/446320-masks-for-the-public-laying-straw-men-to-rest

    of course I am prepared to be persuaded against if someone comes back with as well an argued paper explaining what is wrong with the above, but I dont expect that to happen.

    Id like to see a similarly argued paper on why covid was deemed not a top risk disease for medical professionals and so their need for PPE is also diminished - but I expect that's rather harder to find - much easier to say guided by Science ( the 3 word slogan again )
     
    Farnham_Red, Apr 28, 2020
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  2. Marlon

    Marlon Well-Known Member

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    The popular story coming from ministers is that it helps stop the spread but doesn’t stop you getting it which I find bizarre tbh.
    If it’s stopping you spreading it and if every one wears one.why is it not stopping you getting it .
    I don’t know if it’s thick ministers or I’m just not getting it . I know what my pick is .
     
    Marlon, Apr 28, 2020
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  3. arabian_ian

    arabian_ian Well-Known Member

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    Surely it would do more good than harm.
     
    arabian_ian, Apr 28, 2020
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  4. MarioKempes

    MarioKempes Well-Known Member

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    The theory came from the WHO (I think) but it assumes that not everyone is wearing one. I've not heard anyone say that they won't work if everyone was to wear one - as long as they are the correct specification.

    I read an article on it recently which I will try to find.
     
    MarioKempes, Apr 28, 2020
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  5. Shy Talk

    Shy Talk Well-Known Member

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    SAGE is against it; therefore Cummings is against it; therefore I'm all for it.

    EXCEPT where are all these masks coming from all of a sudden?
     
    Shy Talk, Apr 28, 2020
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  6. Farnham_Red

    Farnham_Red Administrator Staff Member Admin

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    What it means is if you are in contact with unmasked coved carriers a cloth mask offers little protection unlike a proper medical standard mask. If everyone wears them of course it reduces your chances of getting it because those that are infectious aren’t spreading as many virus’s. So I’d go with thick ministers not that you are
     
    Farnham_Red, Apr 28, 2020
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  7. Farnham_Red

    Farnham_Red Administrator Staff Member Admin

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    Farnham_Red, Apr 28, 2020
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  8. SuperTyke

    SuperTyke Well-Known Member

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    Wearing one won't stop YOU from catching it if an unprotected person coughs at you but it will stop the unprotected person from getting it if you cough because your germs will be trapped inside the mask.

    Essentially there's only any point in wearing one if you already have covid-19
     
    SuperTyke, Apr 28, 2020
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  9. MarioKempes

    MarioKempes Well-Known Member

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    Who has actually said that if everyone wears a mask of appropriate specification that it won't reduce or stop the spread? I've not heard anyone say this, no minister, official or scientist. I've heard a lot of people saying that a combination of poor quality masks / not everyone wearing them will only have a limited impact at best but that appears a logical statement to me.
     
    MarioKempes, Apr 28, 2020
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  10. Farnham_Red

    Farnham_Red Administrator Staff Member Admin

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    That’s true but it spreads mostly due to incubating or asymptomatic people being out and about so if we all wear them that will mean that most of us are wasting our time but those unlucky enough to have it and not know are at least not spreading it further.
     
    Farnham_Red, Apr 28, 2020
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  11. Sim

    Simon De Montforte Well-Known Member

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    So it's like a one way valve. Allows germs in but wont allow germs out?
     
    Simon De Montforte, Apr 28, 2020
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  12. Marlon

    Marlon Well-Known Member

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    Yes but my point is if everyone wears one no germs can be spread .
     
    Marlon, Apr 28, 2020
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  13. SuperTyke

    SuperTyke Well-Known Member

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    No they can't so you're right if everyone wore one it would help slow the spread. The only reason it's been worded how it has is I think in a direct response to someone asking 'so if I wear one I can't catch it right?' which you can as it's the other person who's key.
     
    SuperTyke, Apr 28, 2020
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  14. SuperTyke

    SuperTyke Well-Known Member

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    That's how I understand it. Not sure why that's the case though or if it's actually scientifically correct
     
    SuperTyke, Apr 28, 2020
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  15. Marlon

    Marlon Well-Known Member

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    So the govts right and I’m right ? I’ve got a headache caused by having something in common with a Tory govt :eek:
     
    Marlon, Apr 28, 2020
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  16. SuperTyke

    SuperTyke Well-Known Member

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    Yes you're both right but both talking about slightly different things. You're right in that if both me and you wear one mine protects you and yours protects me so we're both good. If only you wear one then I'm protected but you aren't.

    Or something like that Boris ;)
     
    SuperTyke, Apr 28, 2020
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  17. JamDrop

    JamDrop Well-Known Member

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    Basically, I've always thought of it as 'wear a mask to protect others, wear gloves to protect yourself'.
     
    JamDrop, Apr 28, 2020
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  18. MarioKempes

    MarioKempes Well-Known Member

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    I'm bookmarking this for future reference. It might come in useful at some point ;)
     
    MarioKempes, Apr 28, 2020
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  19. dreamboy3000

    dreamboy3000 Well-Known Member

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    Covid supposedly works on a three week cycle. So if the government make it mandatory for everyone out in public to cover their mouth/nose for a month (whilst still washing their hands) then a month from now cases should be non existent?
     
    dreamboy3000, Apr 28, 2020
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  20. pon

    pontyender Well-Known Member

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    It's like most things during this crisis. The government's advice is influenced by resources, rather than it being the best thing to do. Wearing a mask can only help the situation - however small - not make it worse.
     
    pontyender, Apr 28, 2020
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